Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), has issued a strong warning to judges across the country to treat every case before a court as involving real people, businesses, and livelihoods.
Kekere-Ekun issued the warning on Wednesday at the 2026/2027 Legal Year Ceremony of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) in Abuja, where she spoke against letting heavy caseloads lead to impatience, discourtesy, or inadequate attention to cases.
According to Kekere-Ekun, the pressure arising from a large volume of cases could not excuse judges from carefully and fairly considering matters brought before them.
“The volume of cases before a court can be demanding but pressure must never become an excuse for impatience, discourtesy or inadequate attention to the matters placed before the court.
“Every case represents real people, real businesses, real livelihoods and, sometimes, circumstances of considerable personal hardship.
“The parties may not always obtain the outcome they seek but they are entitled to know that their cases have been heard carefully, fairly and impartially,” the CJN said.
The ceremony took place at the same time as the commissioning of the NICN headquarters in Area 3, Abuja.
The CJN said that holding judicial office is both a privilege and a serious responsibility. She encouraged judges to carry out their work with diligence, patience, and careful thought.
She explained that public trust in the judiciary relies not just on the decisions judges make, but also on the way court proceedings are handled.
“Every judge must remain conscious that the authority of the court is derived from the constitution and the law, and that the confidence which the public places in the judiciary must be earned afresh every day.
“The manner in which a judge conducts proceedings, listens to parties, treats counsel and staff, and ultimately gives reasons for a decision is as important to public confidence as the decision itself,” she said.